Social Movements in Guatemala

Sandra Moran is a member of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, an elected member of the Guatemalan Congress for the Convergence Party and a tireless defender of women’s rights will discuss the current political situation in Guatemala and the role of social movements.

You might well wonder how Sandra’s election to Congress was possible in one of the most machista societies in Latin America, with one of the highest murder rates in the world. The answer has to be her total dedication to social justice which has led to her becoming a champion of the Mayan population along with women in general, the LGBT community and the rest of Guatemalan society that is struggling to maintain life under ever worsening economic conditions.

When questioned about her identity in an interview with the Guardian newspaper in 2016 she replied: “In Guatemala to be a feminist is not welcomed, a lesbian, even less so. I am a lesbian feminist.” In an interview with the Nobel Women’s Initiative the same year, she explained her position further saying: “Lesbian identity in Guatemala is taboo. It was necessary to show it, not only to break and confront that taboo, but more so, to provide the opportunity for the LGBT community to have a representative.” She began her involvement in social justice issues at 14 years of age, when she was a high-school student. As a university student in 1981 she was forced to leave Guatemala to escape the disappearances and assassinations that were being carried out by the Guatemalan army.

She spent 14 years in exile, living in Nicaragua, Mexico and Canada. During that time she realized the power of music in social movements when she joined the revolutionary band Kin Lalat which was composed of Guatemalan musicians in exile. Sandra played the drums and she has been playing them ever since. The conversation will be followed by a concert featuring Sandra playing drums.

Join us in the Café at El Sindicato. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.